French police apprehended a suspect linked to an assault on a synagogue following a gunfight where the individual was injured, according to a source familiar with the investigation, who spoke on Sunday.
The suspect, a 33-year-old Algerian national, was arrested in the southern city of Nimes on Saturday evening, shortly after the incident at the synagogue in the neighboring coastal town of La Grand Motte, which resulted in an injury to a police officer. The source revealed that four individuals are now detained, following the torching of two vehicles in a parking lot adjacent to the synagogue, leading to an explosion just half an hour before the scheduled Saturday service.
The primary suspect was injured during a confrontation with specialized officers who had been tracking him, the source confirmed. His condition was not critical. The suspect, who had a Palestinian flag draped around his waist, was captured on surveillance footage orchestrating the attack, as seen by AFP.
After inspecting the scene at the synagogue, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal expressed that 'an absolute tragedy' had been averted by a narrow margin.
